Baking soda vs. baking powder: What’s the difference and why does it matter? Your recipes—and health—depend on it! Did you know baking soda is the healthier choice for food applications? While both are leavening agents, there’s a key difference: baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, while baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate plus added acids (like cream of tartar) and stabilizers (such as cornstarch). Baking powder is designed to work in recipes without additional acidic ingredients, but